The family of a 25-year-old man who was killed along with his girlfriend in a motorbike crash have paid tribute to “a much loved son and brother”.

Stephen Blissett, of Shirley Avenue, Whitley Wood, and his girlfriend Linda Wernham died when their Kawasaki motorbike came off theA4343 near Andover on Thursday last week.

Mr Blissett was in charge of the bike and died at the scene of the smash, which happened on a bend of the road at around 10.40pm.

Miss Wernham, 33, of Pilgrims Way in Andover, was a passenger on the bike and died later from her injuries at Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester.

No other vehicle was involved in the smash, said Gaetana Prassede, a spokeswoman for Hampshire Police.

Yesterday, Mr Blissett’s family, from Shirley Avenue in Whitley Wood, released a statement.

It said: “Stephen always lived his life one step at a time, never concerned himself much with the future as he was always too busy enjoying each moment of the present, one of the many things we will remember him for.

“During this tragic and painful time, we as a family need to pull together; in memory of a much loved son and brother.

“He will always be our Stephen. We would also like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Linda and wish her family all the best as they come to terms with this tragic loss.”